Pete's Model World

Monday, 19 March 2018

I've now added the decals to the model and very nice they are too. They went down with no issues at all. I've also test fitted the bucket & un-ditching boards to check all fits as it should. The figure has also had his boots painted brown instead of black, thanks to Brian for that as I was not sure of the correct colour.

Sunday, 18 March 2018

A pleasant day was spent yesterday painting the tommy to go with the lanchester. I also knocked up some WW1 era rations to go with him. I found lots of info regarding rations on the Internet as there are firms that produce reproduction rations and packaging for re-enactors. Very handy for us modellers.For the figure I used vallejo panzer aces 317 British tank crew & 321 highlight British tank crew for the uniform as well as a spot of black for the shadows. He painted up really well and the sculpting of the figure really pops once painted. Rations include a tin of corned beef, jam and biscuits as well as a tommy cooker. Essential for that cup of char!

Saturday, 17 March 2018

Today the paintwork went on the model after a nice dark grey primer coat. I've used mr hobby H308 and a few drops of tamiya XF 23. The colour this time is much more to my liking than the previous attempt. I then added white to the mix and sprayed highlights and fading to the model. Even better the paint went on smooth as silk and level so I'm a happy chap. I'll let this cure for a day or so before progressing.

Friday, 16 March 2018

The model is now all finished and on it's base. I've left the container loose so I can show the wear on the forks if I so wish. The figure has also not been added as in the end I thought he didn't add anything to the finished scene.I'm rather chuffed with this one as it's totally different from anything else I usually build. Also the kit although not without it's tricky areas is very well detailed and builds up really well. I'm also particularly pleased with how the VMS matt varnish & pigments performed as the final stages are usually the most critical in any build, they ensured it all went as planned.

Thursday, 15 March 2018

Here's the model after a session of pigments and adding all the separate parts. I used a mix of VMS 04 sand "A" & 04 sand "dull". Both worked extremely well. For the rubber tyres I first gave them a misting with VMS matt varnish just to dull down the very shiny rubber then once dry dusted them with pigments. I then removed the access with my finger. Again the varnish worked very well and I must say it's very robust on the model with no wearing away or as you sometimes get with other varnishes shiny areas due to excessive handling. The front headlight guards were a devil to fit as the ends need to be bent to 90 degrees and then only the very tips! However once in place they look great.I still have a bit more to do with the pigments and also need to add some staining possibly to show oil & grease.

Tuesday, 13 March 2018

Today I've started adding all the glazing and lights to the forklift and a very tricky job it's been. Because I elected to add the glazing after painting the model some pieces needed a little sanding on the edges to fit properly. Slow and steady is the way to go here. I fixed the glazing in with tiny amounts of tamiya extra thin glue. If you are careful and let capillary action take the glue into the joins a strong and non fogging bond can be had. Over the weekend I also painted up a figure to go with the model and finished off the pallets. Lots more still to add and final weathering with some pigments needs to be done as well but it's getting closer to the finish line.

Saturday, 10 March 2018

Today I received my expected items from VMS. Really fast delivery as ever as it was posted Monday. I've topped up again on some more pigments and also bought some of their new acrylic varnish & paint remover.

We will look at the clean slate remover first and here I used it on the lanchester to remove the lumpy and unsatisfactory paintwork. This stuff is non toxic and only has a slight smell which isn't really unpleasant. You just pour some on the model using a suitable container then let it sit for a while. You will see the paint start to lift and ripple on the model. Using a stiff brush I then removed the paint, it even strips the primer off leaving bare plastic. I am really impressed with the clean slate, it does what it says and is excellent. It should be noted that it's only for acrylic paints as well.

On to the VMS varnish now, they have just released three varnishes, matt, gloss & satin. I used the matt on the forklift after my problems with the last bottle of AK rubbish. The varnish needs no thinning just a really good shake of the bottle. I then sprayed this over the parts and immediately I saw a really good matting of the surfaces. I went over with four light passes and the model went dead flat. Better still there were no lumps and it went through the airbrush brilliantly. I'm really pleased with the finish and with the ease of application. You can also use the varnish with a brush for touch ups or small areas. It's early days yet but I can say this is the best varnish I've ever used.

As you can see a superb matt finish. I've also been working on a base for the model and a figure to go with it.

So a busy day so far with the rugby just starting too! You can get VMS products direct from them or selected stockists which they list on the website.VANTAGE MODELLING SOLUTIONS